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AGM-28A “Hound Dog”

BY NORTH AMERICAN

The “Hound Dog” is an air-launched supersonic strategic missile designed to destroy heavily-defended ground targets. Two AGM-28s were carried by specially modified B-52s, one beneath each wing. No AGM-28s were ever used in combat, but on a typical mission an AGM-28 would be launched at an altitude of 45,000 feet, climb to over 56,000 feet, cruise to the target area, and then dive to the target. The missile has a range of more than 600 miles, allowing “stand-off” launch hundreds of miles from the target, thus reducing the risk to the launch aircraft.

The first AGM-28 was launched on 23 April 1959 and production missiles entered service with Strategic Air Command (SAC) in December of that year. In 1960, SAC developed a method for using the missiles’ jet engines to provide extra power for the B-52 carrier in flight or on takeoff. The missiles could then be refueled in flight from the bomber’s fuel tanks.

The AGM-28B, an advanced version of the A, first flew in May 1961. It incorporates an improved guidance system and has greater range. Almost 700 AGM-28s were built before production ended in 1963; 428 of them were Bs. Several hundred Hound Dog missiles were still in operational service in 1977 but all were retired by 1978.

The 19th Bomb Wing used AGM-28s on their B-52s that were stationed at Robins AFB during the 1960s and 70s. The Museum’s AGM-28A was delivered to the USAF in February 1960 and was assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida where it was used for testing. In August 1962 it was transferred to Chanute AFB, Illinois and then Sheppard AFB, Texas where it was used for training. It later returned to Chanute AFB for static display and was moved to the Museum in 2015 for display.

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